🧿 Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) – Istanbul

Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered market in Istanbul (and one of the biggest in the world), featuring thousands of shops and historic vaulted passages. It’s the perfect place to shop for carpets, copperware, gold, leather, ceramics, and Turkish souvenirs.

📍 Location

• Area: Beyazıt / Sultanahmet – European side of Istanbul.
• 📍 Google Maps – Grand Bazaar
• Famous gates: Beyazıt Gate, Nuruosmaniye Gate, Çarşıkapı.

🕰️ Opening Hours

• Usually open daily: 09:00 – 19:00 (closed on public holidays and some Sundays).
• Hours may vary by season; check at the entrance or via official sources.

✨ What You’ll Find

• 🧵 Handmade carpets and Turkish textiles.
• 🥣 Copperware, oriental lamps, İznik ceramics.
• 💍 Gold, silver, and both traditional & modern jewelry.
• 👜 Leather goods, shoes, and belts.
• 🍬 Spices, tea, coffee, and Turkish delights (lokum / baklava).

🚇 How to Get There

• Tram T1 to Beyazıt – Kapalıçarşı or Sultanahmet, then walk.
• Metro M2 to Vezneciler, then 10–12 minutes walking.
• Taxi / apps like BiTaksi and Uber (traffic may be heavy near entrances).

💡 Tips

• 💬 Bargaining is expected—start lower than the asking price and stay polite.
• 🧭 The bazaar is a maze; note your gate name or take a photo of the map.
• 🕰️ Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds, or before closing for better deals.
• 🎁 Check product quality (stitching, leather, carpet details) and origin.
• 💳 Ask about payment, tax, and international shipping policies.

🌟 Nearby Places

• ⛪ Spice Bazaar – 15–20 min walk or tram T1 to Eminönü.
• 🏛️ Nuruosmaniye Mosque & Complex – right next to one of the gates.
• 🕌 Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque – within Sultanahmet area.

🌐 Useful Links

• Info: grandbazaaristanbul.org
• Visitor reviews: Tripadvisor – Grand Bazaar